Prof Steve Cooper

Principal Research Scientist
Evolutionary Biology Unit

Steve did his PhD in the molecular evolution field at the University of Adelaide, graduating in 1991, before taking up a post doctoral position at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, UK. He moved to Adelaide in 1994 to take up a position as a research scientist in the Museum’s Evolutionary Biology Unit.

Position at Other Organisation

Affiliated Professor, Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity and School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Adelaide.

Research Interests

Research involving the use of genetic analyses such as DNA sequencing to study the diversity and evolution of Australian fauna. Particular research interest is the study of subterranean invertebrates of the Australian arid zone, including identifying species diversity, biogeographic history, modes of speciation and regressive evolution. Other research interests involve the supervision of several molecular ecological projects by PhD students of the University of Adelaide and Flinders University, on a range of organisms including marsupials, bats and lizards.

Resolving the systematics of stygobitic Amphipoda (Crustacea) using morphology and genetic analyses – the Melitidae and Paramelitidae of central Western Australia, R. King, S. Cooper and W. Humphreys. 2011–2014, Australian Biological Research Study, $225,000.

Exploring the taxonomy, distribution and evolution of a unique subterranean fauna: amphipod crustaceans from the Yilgarn region of central Western Australia. R. King and S. Cooper. 2011–2013, Hermon Slade Foundation, $53,380.